Teachings 2: In-Depth Reflections on the Parshah (by Rabbi Asher Brander)

Rabbi Asher Brander is a dynamic force in Torah education and communal leadership, known for his clarity of thought, warmth, and relentless dedication to Klal Yisrael. For over 18 years, he has served as the beloved Rabbi of the Westwood Kehilla in Los Angeles and is the Founder and Rav of LINK—the Los Angeles Intercommunity Kollel & Shul—an institution that blends rigorous Torah learning with a welcoming, growth-oriented community.

Born in Oak Park, Michigan and raised in Kew Gardens Hills, Rabbi Brander’s educational journey took him through the halls of Yeshivat Chofetz Chaim, Yeshivat Sha’alvim, Yeshiva University, Gruss Kollel, and the YULA Kollel. He holds a B.A. in Computer Science from YU, semicha from RIETS (1991), and an M.A. in Jewish Secondary Education from the Azrieli Graduate Institute.

For more than two decades, Rabbi Brander has taught in Yeshiva high schools and inspired students across generations. His weekly Torah column, Reflections, along with his published essays and lectures, have earned him a reputation as a thoughtful and original Jewish thinker.

Rabbi Brander lives in Los Angeles with his wife Batyah and their children, where he continues to teach, lead, and inspire with passion and purpose.